Ingredients
1 Part Powdered Gelatin
1 Part Liquid Glycerin
1 Part Water
Acrylic Paint (for color)
Plastic Stirrer (spoon?)
Microwave Safe Bowl
Gelatin is made from bones. So it's sort of appropriate for Zombie costumes, but not suitable for vegans.
The glycerin used in this is as a stabilizer. It helps the gelatin to be 'rubbery' without falling apart like standard edible jelly. It can be obtained from drug stores.
You may prepare gelatin in bulk in advance. Once made, the block of gelatin may be stored in the freezer, or the fridge for short periods of time. This base can be used for gelatin skin effects, as well as foaming it.
How to make the base
Combine the gelatin powder (not Jell-O - you want unsweetened unflavored powdered gelatin), glycerin and water in a microwave safe bowl and stir thoroughly to mix. You can add color at this stage if you are certain that you are happy with the skin tone, but I would recommend adding it at the 'usage' stage, and certainly after testing it on small amounts first. The images on this page have had the acrylic added. Plain gelatin will be transparent.
Microwave for 20 seconds (for approx. half a cup of mixture). If you are not sure how long to do it, do it less than you think and do multiple shorter bursts until the gelatin is molten. Gelatin is not unlike melted plastic when hot, and will burn horrifically without coming off your skin. Also when it gets too hot it will degrade and become useless.
When it is melted stir the mixture with a plastic implement (metal will cool and degrade it) until there are no lumps. Pour into Tupperware / some suitable container (if your mixing bowl is not suitable).
Place the container on a bowl of ice to cool it quicker.
Once it is cool, you are ready to use it for gelatin skin or for foaming gelatin prosthetics
